"Ow...damn..." I was holding my head, as it started hurting while I tried to sit up in the bed, "Oh, man...jeeze...He must have gotten me better than I thought...” I got up from the bed and went over to the dresser, rubbing my arm as it was still stiff from yesterday. I took a look in the mirror and shook my head, “You look like hell...A good shower should do the trick.”
I gathered some change of clothes and headed over to the overly-large (for me) bathroom and got stripped down. Unfortunately I forgot to lock the door, and the next thing I know it becomes open as Quickpaw tries to get in. With a shout I turn beet red and grab for the nearest towel...only there weren’t any. I had to revert to using my hands to cover myself
“OH NO! I’m sorry!” Quick shouted as shi quickly snapped the door shut. ‘What a way to begin the morning,’ I thought, ‘completely naked in front of one of them here...especially hir.’ I then wondered why I was particularly conscious about Quick...but then I pushed it aside, figuring that’s how I would have thought if any of them came in.
I warmed up the shower and climbed into the big stall. After letting myself ‘soak’ for a while, I washed up and got out to dry, enjoying the warm air from the fans. Then I got dressed again and went out to the kitchen, feeling like new. I noticed Boyce behind the counter, chopping up something I couldn’t see while the coffeepot brew that liquid I couldn’t seem to like. The various occupants of the house surrounding the table or not out yet.
“What are you up to this morning, hmmm? Looks like breakfast,” I smiled at Boyce, coming over to see that he was chopping up various fruits and veggies. “You’d be right. I’m making my famous omelets,” Boyce said, returning the smile, “Want one?” I nodded, “As a matter of fact I would. But how about I do something too?” “Oh? What?” I looked over to the table, “Anyone want pancakes?”
Midnight smiled, “You can make pancakes?” I nodded, “Sure can. How about I add them to the omletes?” There was a chorus of agreement, after which I smiled and went to work. I am all but silent when I cook, but my ears work well. I listened in on the plans they had for the day, it being the next to last for all of them before returning to work, and I began to develop a plan of my own. If only they would accept it.
I made up the batter and the pancakes while Boyce made his omelets, both of us moving around the kitchen as if we were doing this for years. In silent agreement, we also put some bacon in the oven and sausages in a pan of it’s own, making wondrous smells float from the kitchen that enticed the chakats.
When all was done, the dinning table was laden with plates of sausage, bacon, Boyce’s omelets, and my pancakes. Boyce and I smiled as we sat down, and I clearly spoke, “Dig in,” which is what we all did. After a few minutes of scrambling for everyone to get what they wanted, then everyone settled down to enjoy the morning meal.
“Oh, Spencer, these pancakes are delicious! What did you do with them?” Trina asked as she chewed away at one of them. I looked up smiled at the complement, “Oh it was easy. I just added vanilla and cinnamon to the batter is all.” Trina took another bite before replying, “mmm...whatever it was, it’s amazing.” Then Forest giggled a little, “You know, if you stay we could have the best breakfast team the family ever known.” I blushed a little at the compliments and we all went back to enjoying our food.
After that and help cleaning up, I smiled at the chakats rubbing their full bellies. Then conversation kicked up again, returning to plans for the day. I figured this was the best time to say something, and I turned to Forest to make my suggestion.
“Forest, it sounds as though you all are planning a big day.” Forest nodded, “We want to fill in our last vacation day with plenty of leisure and fun.” I nodded too, “What are you going to do about the cubs?” “Well, we were going to take them with us.” I frowned, “And what are they to do while you are shopping? Tag along all bored?” Forest thought for a moment, “well, then what are we to do with them?”
I smiled at hir, “I’ll watch them.” Forest did an amusing double-take at me before responding, “Um...you sure? Don’t you want to do more research?” I shook my head, “I hit a dead end after I caught up on the times. And after yesterday, going back to the library will do nothing but bring a bad taste in my mouth.”
Forest thought for a minute, “Well...I don’t know...could you handle it?” I laughed, “Are you kidding me? I handled all my cousins when needed. I was the primary source for kid-sitting with my family. I think I can handle the little rascals of yours.”
Forest thought more, “I’m...still not sure.” I shrugged, “You can trust me Forest. I’m good.” Forstwalker nodded, then smiled, “Alright. If you think you can handle it, we’ll give you a shot. Just call the unicom if you run into a spot of trouble.” I nodded in response and we told everyone else of the plan. Eventually, we got everyone out the door and into the PTVs leaving the house.
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I heard the door open while in the kitchen, and the scuffling of bags from the shopping center as everyone shuffled in. They deployed their purchases to the table, then turned to find me with all the cubs in the kitchen, all of them singing or (in the younger one’s cases) making attempts to sing along.
“W X Y and Z. Now I know my ABCs. Next time won’t you sing with me?” I smiled at them as I stirred the stew in the pot on the stove, “Very good.” I looked up at the adults, “Welcome back, everyone. I suppose you all had a good day.” This turned the cubs’ attention to the arrival of their parents, to which they stampeded.
After they could get back up, Quickpaw came over to hug me, “We had fun! Shopped ‘till we dropped, then shopped some more!” I smiled, blushing a little from the hug, “Sounds great.” Shi let me go and dug into one of the bags, pulling out a little red top and showing it to me, “Look what I found on sail! You like?” I nodded, to which shi giggled and bounced away, leaving me slightly perplexed.
Forest walked over to me, “Shi’s in heat, and it seems you kinda stood out to hir there.” Shi then smiled when shi looked down at the pot, taking a good whiff, “mmmm...We’ve had a small lunch, and that smells delicious.” I smiled, “That’s good, because I made plenty.” Shi nodded, “What is it?”
I smirked and put on a fake Irish accent to my voice, “That, lassie, is a famous family recipe of the Irish stew. Handed down to me by me ancestors, don’t’cha know? It is a simple confection of lamb and various vegetables, as well as a few secretly selected flavorins that’ll combine to make your taste buds soar.”
Forest laughed at my little display, “Well...it certainly sounds and looks good. Can’t wait to try it.” I nodded to hir, “then get me the bowls if you would so that you can.” Once again we ate at the table and once again I was given great positive feedback on my cooking. With the meal finished, I took out one of the cubs' toy mice and squeezed it to make it squeak. All ears perked up as I wound up the toy and tossed it into the living room, soon followed by all the cubs at once. I argued for a second with Quick and Lupu as to who should clean up, and eventually won in the end, with Quick helping me.
“So what did you get into with the cubs?” Shi asked. I shrugged, “This and that. When you left they we decided to go outside to play, which suited me. We played tag first, which turned into a game of ‘get the sitter.’” Shi laughed, which made me smile as I continued, “then they got the ball and started playing soccer and wore themselves out. The went to nap after that. I took this time to go inside and straighten up more and start on supper. When they got up they asked about the letters on the fridge and that’s how we got into the ABCs.”
Quickpaw nodded, “Sounds like you had a good day like us. Any problems?” I shook my head, “they were all pretty well behaved. Poor Ember sprained hir tail when shi tried to catch the ball wrong but other than that it was fine.” Quick smiled and hugged me, making me blush more, “I guess you had a good handle on them then.” I nodded and slightly hugged back before returning to the task of cleaning up.
I came into the living room while wiping my hands off, where the adults were watching the little ones play, and I decided to join in the fun. When the already almost destroyed toy was released again, I jumped on top of it and rolled over to my knees, smirking at the cubs. They just looked at me for a second before Patch gave a small roar like shout, and pounced at me...as did all of the other ones.
I went down, laughing as they ‘attacked’ me and the adults busted up at the scene. We rolled, grabbed, let go, tickled, batted, and basically just played around. I eventually was able to sit up over them, holding the toy mouse high above me with a loud, “AH HA!” Well as you imagine that didn’t last very long as they all went down on me at once.
After another minute or two of this, we all layer there, panting for breath. Then all of us yawned, and I smiled at them, “Hmm...good group yawn.” I looked at the clock, “Well, it’s no wonder we’re tired. I believe it’s bedtime.” I looked to the parents, and they nodded, so I got up with Stone fur in my arms and the others following. I got them all tucked in but they weren’t going to sleep, which is something that I’m kinda used to by now. “Can you tell us a story or something?” Eudora asked. I smiled, “I know something better.” I settled down and looked to them, then started singing.
“Golden slumber kiss your eyes, Smiles await you when you rise. Sleep, pretty children, Do not cry, And I'll sing you a lullaby....care you know not, Therefore sleep, While I o'er your head a watch I keep. Sleep, pretty darlings, do not cry, And I will sing a lullaby.”
Eudora purred at me, smiling, “that was lovely...do you know any others?” I nodded and began singing another I knew.
“Lullaby, and good night, with pink roses bedight, With lilies o'er spread, are the children’s sweet heads. Lay thee down now, and rest, may thy slumber be blessed! Lullaby, and good night, your mother's delight, Shining angel beside their darling abide. Soft and warm is your bed, close your eyes and rest your head. Sleepyhead, close your eyes. I am right here beside you. I'll protect you from harm, you will wake in my arms. Your guardian angel is near, so sleep on with no fear.”
I smiled as I finished and looked over to see the cubs fast asleep. I walked over to the door, making sure they were all comfortable as I passed. I reached the door and clicked off the light as I shut it, smiling to myself now with a small sigh.
I turn around and see Quickpaw and Lupu both smiling at me with their arms crossed over them. We stood there looking at each other for a minute before I asked, “What?” Quickpaw shook hir head, “You almost acted like you were their own parent.” I blushed a little, “Um...yeah, I got a little...carried away.” Both shi and Lupu laughed, and Quick said, “That’s a good thing. I’m glad you had fun.” Shi hugged me again and I yawned, “I’m tired...I’m gonna hit the hay, alright?” They nodded and I hugged everyone goodnight before heading to my room.
I just pulled on my pajamas when there was a soft knock at the door. I told them to come in and to my surprise it was Midnight who entered the room. Shi wasn't wearing a top, but I grew used to that by now, and my attention was drawn rather to the manila in hir hand.
"Spencer, Boyce and I talked and we managed to pull a few strings and do a little research for you with the use of the Star Fleet database." I nodded, "Thanks. It's appreciated. I take it you found something." Shi nodded back, "um...yeah, we did....I told Boyce it'd be better not to show you, but he made a pretty good argument that you deserve to know..." I got concerned with this, "I deserve...to know what?" I ask cautiously.
Shi sighed and handed the folder over to me, and I opened it and read with curiosity. It was a missing person's case file. The date of it being made was June 8th, 2007. I read through the file, how they came about absolutely no evidence as to where I could have been. I was considered dead a few months later, and the report tossed into the file of UNSOLVED mysteries.
I lowered the report, starring at the wall...."Spencer?" I didn't respond..."Spencer." I just stared..."SPENCER!" The shake of my shoulders pulled me out of my trance long enough to look at Midnight. Shi sighed heavily, "I'm so sorry, Spencer...I wish I could he-" I cut her off by turning away from hir, "Just go."
Shi sighed again and left. I stayed there, just staring at the wall with the folder in my hand. I blinked a few times, my mind blank. THEN it hit me...I wasn’t going back...I threw the folder to the ground and punched a wall again. Then I broke down and laid on the bed, sobbing to myself.
Eventually the tears passed and I was able to calm myself. Without much else to do I just pulled up the covers and eventually passed out, my face still damp.
Part 5: http://pastebin.ca/1331262